COMMERCE– The No. 5 Texas A&M University-Commerce softball team split its doubleheader against Texas A&M International on Wednesday afternoon. The Lions lost the first game 7-5 before bouncing back with a 6-2 win in the second game.
 
The results bring the Lions to 13-2 on the season. A&M-International goes to 6-9 on the year.
 
The Lions return to action on Friday as they play a three-game series against UT Permian Basin. The teams will meet in a doubleheader on Friday starting at 4 p.m. The teams will then play a single game on Saturday at 1 p.m. The games will be played at the UTPB Softball Field in Odessa.
 
HEAD COACH RICHIE BRUISTER AFTER THE GAME
On responding after a game one loss to win game two: "We had a game plan coming in offensively and we didn't execute from the pregame. I was a little disappointed. We made adjustments in the second game, stuck to the game plan and saw good things happen."
On getting good play from some new additions to the lineup: "That's what we preach to our kids. We have a lot of depth and they have to be ready when the time comes. Those kids were ready to come in today. You saw a different team when they were out there. They were positive and upbeat and having a good time. We got the win with them."
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 1)
- Chealsea Slider (Texarkana – Texas High) had two hits, drove in a run and also scored a run.
- Serina Aguilar (Houston – Spring Woods Senior) had double and drove a run across. Bri Sims (Rowlett) also had an RBI.
- Ta'Lyn Moody (Mansfield - Legacy) had two hits and scored a run. Jody Hill (Heavener, Okla.), Madison Schaefer (Frisco - Independence), Vanessa Avina (Haltom City) and Vanessa Muro (Oak Hills, Calif.) all scored a run.
- Emily Otto (Richmond – Lamar Consolidated) pitched a complete game, earning her first loss of the year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)
The Dustdevils got the scoring started in the top of the first with a solo home run. The Lions answered back in the bottom of the second as Slider doubled and then a throwing error brought her home as the Lions tied the game at one through two complete innings.
 
Otto struck two in the third inning as both pitchers took care of business the next three innings. After five, the game was tied at one.
 
The Dustdevils retook the lead in the top of the sixth inning as a leadoff single put a runner on and a double scored the runner. The Lions battled back to take the lead in the bottom of the inning. Hill led off with a single and stole a base. She was driven across on a double from Aguilar. Another run came across on a single from Slider. The Lions took a 3-2 lead into the seventh.
 
The first two batters of the seventh were retired before the Dustdevils started a two-out rally. A single and a walk were followed by a base-clearing double. After a throwing error brought in another run, the bases were cleared with a home run. In all, five runs came across as TAMIU took a 7-3 lead.
 
The Lions fought back in the bottom of the inning. Schaefer doubled and Moody singled to bring a run across. Three more walks drew another run cross. The Lions had bases loaded with no outs but could not bring in more runs, falling by two.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 2)
- Kayla Kilcrease (Kerens) hit a two-run homer and scored two runs.
- Jodie Hill also had two RBIs and scored once. Serina Aguilar and Vanessa Muro also had RBIs.
- Aguilar, Schaefer and Moody all scored runs.
- Katie Dean (Whitesboro) pitched a complete game, striking out six without giving up an earned run.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2)
Dean struck out the side to begin the game. She picked up another strikeout in the top of the second. The Lion bats, after failing to get going early caught fire in the third inning. Moody singled and Kilcrease walked. Both stole to get in scoring position and scored on a double from Hill. Aguilar drove in another run on a triple and scored on a double from Muro. The Lions led 4-0 after three complete.
 
The Lions added two more runs in the fourth inning. Schaefer doubled to lead off and scored on a home run from Kilcrease. The Lions led 6-0 after four.
 
Dean would strike out two more in the game. TAMIU put together a late rally to bring in two runs but Dean struck out the final batter of the game to seal the win.